"How are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?" (Romans 10:14).

Calling begins in the congregation. If individuals, especially young men and women who have so many career choices, are to consider the ministry, they need positive role models. They are also helped greatly in their discernment process when they experience positive attitudes toward ministry in their congregations.

In February of 2001, the Office of Ministry mailed a new video--"How Are They to Hear"--to every congregation and district office in the denomination. The 50-minute, 5-segment video is based on Romans 10:14-15, and is designed to help congregations identify and call men and women to the ministry. To obtain a copy, please contact a Church of the Brethren pastor, a District Executive/Minister, or the Office of Ministry.

Ministerial education is critically important to the church. Isn't God's call enough, someone might ask? Well, what value do we place on leadership? We hope our medical doctors and teachers feel called to their professions, but would anyone want a doctor to open their chest for heart surgery who was not well trained in such surgery, or place a child in the classroom of a teacher without quality training? Is ministry less important than those two noble professions?

We want persons in the ministry who feel called by God and the church, but who are also willing to prepare themselves to be the very best leaders they are capable of becoming.

The Church of the Brethren has two major training tracks:

1. The Master of Divinity degree at Bethany Theological Seminary.
2. Non-degree training, The Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership.
   1. Training in Ministry (TRIM)
   2. Education for Shared Ministry (EFSM)
   3. Academy Certified Training Systems (ACTS)

Click here for Congregational Vacancies

The placement of ministerial leaders in the Church of the Brethren is done by our District Executives in each of the twenty-three districts across the United States.

The Church of the Brethren also has congregations in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and a new church planting effort is underway in Brazil.

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